Joyce Hissa

July 22, 2020 Joyce Hissa’s spirit slipped the bounds of Earth, releasing itself as she drifted off to sleep, peacefully. She was 83 years old.
The eldest daughter of the late Duncan and Barbara (Lane) Cameron, Joyce is survived by devoted daughters Lori Duffy, Wendy Clarke (Murray), Karen Duffy (Rick), grandchildren Christine Wilson, Cameron and Caroline Duffy, Zak and Kali Duffy, was “Gigi” to her spirited great-grandchildren Ciarra and Jace Duffy, and well-loved aunt of many nieces and nephews. Sister of Virginia Wilson (Joe), Alan Cameron (Marie), Joyce is predeceased by brother Arthur Cameron and sister Barbara Ko (Fred).
Born May 5, 1937, Joyce grew up on a farm near Beaverton, Ontario where her lifelong love of potatoes and commitment to hard work took root. After graduating high school Joyce moved to the big city where she met her future ex-husband, now deceased. Beaverton offered a quiet respite from a busy life working and raising her young family in Toronto and she would return there often over the years for Sunday dinners, days at the lake, family reunions and endless cups of coffee.
Joyce always lived life on her own terms. Although career options were limited for women in the 1970s, she didn’t let that stand in her way. Instead she got her class C license, buckled her seatbelt, and drove—first a school bus for York Region—then Markham Transit buses across Thornhill and beyond. Fuelled as much by coffee as gumption, she taught her three girls, and every other teenage girl of that era watching, that women can, indeed, do a man’s job. She did her job with her signature determination, a fast smile, and a little bit of a lead foot. She would eventually hang up her transit uniform to become a top performing sales person for Consumer Gas before her retirement.
Always a courageous woman of conviction, when she retired, Joyce came into her true self. She laughed more easily, she opened up to travel and new experiences. Her spirit became lighter and fuller at the same time. She showed us all how rich and meaningful life can be when you embrace it fully.
She stood up for people when they were down, or in need of her help, which led to countless enduring friendships. From her earliest days, Joyce had an enviable ability to turn perfect strangers into life-long friends, simply by turning to them in conversation. Sitting beside her at the coffee shop counter? Friend. Married to her brother? Friend. Just moved in next door? Friend. Ask any of them about Joyce and they’ll tell you she was a great listener. She was quick to laugh. She was an amazing baker. She’d give you the shirt off her back—along with a copy of her pie crust recipe.

Through her lived experiences Joyce inherently understood the need for people to feel welcome, to feel included, to feel valued, to feel heard. Because of that, there was always room around her table. For those who joined her there for hours of coffee and conversation you’d know she’d never want you to leave - insisting you stay for “just one more” coffee, tea, or bite of dessert. She never wanted the evening to end. Neither did we.
When her cancer was no longer treatable, she faced it as the Taurus she was: with stubborn determination to remain at home until her last breath. The many sacrifices she made for her three beautiful daughters was repaid by love, and their round-the-clock care to cushion and comfort Joyce in her final days.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at a later date to be determined by her daughters. Details to follow

Joyce’s interment will be a private family ceremony in her home town of Beaverton, where we will lay this remarkable soul to her final resting place with her family.